Photoinduced decatungstate-catalyzed C(sp)-H thioetherification by sulfinate salts

Thiols and thioesters play crucial roles in pharmaceuticals, biology, and material science as essential organosulfur compounds. Leveraging readily available and cost-effective inert alkanes through direct thioetherification holds promise for yielding high-value-added products. Herein, we present a photoinduced strategy for sulfur-containing modification of inert alkanes utilizing decatungstate as hydrogen atom transfer reagent, offering a straightforward and practical approach for synthesizing thioethers and thioesters. A visible light photoinduced decatungstate-catalyzed C(sp 3 )-H thioetherification of hydrocarbons by sodium sulfite is herein reported.